Strand former for parallel wire cables



May 24, 193s; V D. s FINE 2,118,187

STRAND FORMER FOR PARALLEL WIRE CABLES Filed Feb, 16, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 D@ l// 5. F//V/S,

`May24,193z1.. msnm.; 2,118,187

l STRAND FORMER'FOR PARALLEL WIRE CABLES Filed Feb. 16, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @nV/D 5. HNE,

, lne/enla?? Patented May 24, 1933 naar STES QATENT GFMC?.

STRAND FORMER FORl PARALLEL WIRE,

CABLES David S. Fine, New York, N. Y.

Application February 16, 1937, Serial No. 126,054

6 Claims.

This invention relates to the spinning oi suspension cables and has particular reference to a strand former for parallel wire cables.

In spinning parallel wire cables, the individual strands which are to form the cable must be spun and positioned in order to properly make the cable. It is highly desirable to spin the strands in the positions that they will permanently occupy as the strands then have predetermined cross-sections and fit in the strand holding means in the desired manner. In addition, it is possible to dispense with the machinery required to move the spun strands into position.

After the strands are spun and positioned, they must be individually adjusted to the proper amount of sag between supports. The strands, spun in accordance with the teachings of the prior art, are not easily moved relative to each other as they are immediately adjacent and bearing upon each other.

One of the objects of this invention is to facilitate the spinning of strands in their permanent positions.

Another object is to maintain the desired crosssections of the strands and the proper relative positions of the strands.

Another object of this invention is to permit one strand to readily be moved relative to the remainder of the strands.

The above and further objects will be made apparent by reference to the following description and to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective of one embodiment of the device oi my invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevation of a unit formed from several of the devices of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a plan of the unit of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the units oi Figure 2 positioned in a saddle, several strands being received in one of the units; and

Figure 5 is an elevation of a saddle carrying a cable and the devices of my invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 2 indicates generally a strand former which is made from a tubular member or a plate 4 in which` a strand is to be spun. rThe wall of ti e tubular member 4 is provided with a straight, longitudinally directed slot or aperture which extends the length thereof. The aperture i5 is adapted to permit a taut or stretched wire to be received in the tubular member i without being threaded therethrough. rIlie aperture S allows the customary spinning procedure to be followed in spinning a strand in the strand former 2. The bore of the tubular member fi is mad@ to correspond with the predetermined cross-section of the strand to be formed therein.

A saddle 8 is provided to receive and support the cable which will be made from the strands formed in a plurality of the strand formers 2. The strand formers 2 are extremely short in relation to the length of the saddle 8 and a plurality of them are preferably provided to receive and position each strand in the saddle 8. Before placing the strand formers in the saddle 8, they are preferably formed into a plurality of units by bars I0 or similar means being welded thereto. The units may contain varying quantities of strand formers 2. The apertures 6 in the tubular members 4 must be positioned adjacent the upper surfaces of the strand formers 2 when they are formed into these units. The tubular members 4 comprising one unit should be in a plane and have their bores parallel. However, before placing one unit on top of another, the strands to occupy the lower unit must have been spun therein. The units are placed in the saddle 3, one at a time, and are adapted to have a plurality of strands simultaneously spun therein. rihe next unit to be placed in the saddle 8 is constructed and arranged to cover only strand formers that have strands therein. The tubular members coinprising a unit ordinarily should be welded together at Il (Figure 2) in addition to being se* cured together by the bars lli. The weld at il makes the unit stronger and easier to handle than a unit held together only by the bars I0.

The saddle 8 is adapted to receive the strand formers 2 and position them therein to make a parallel wire cable of the desired cross-section. Means, such as blocks l2 and lock screws I4, are carried by the saddle 8 for securing the strand formers 2 in their desired positions. The strand formers 2 are temporarily held in the saddle 3 by the weight of one or two wires so that they keep themselves positioned after a strand has once been started to be spun therein.

Cil

While I have shown and described one specific bers being secured together to form a plurality of units the tubular members of which are in the same plane.

2. Apparatus for positioning parallel Wire stranded cables comprising, in combination, a

plurality of hollow strand formers each of which is provided with a longitudinally directed aperture in 'the Wall thereof, the bores of said strand formers being of the cross-section desired in the strands of said cables, a saddle adapted to receive said strand formers, and means for positively securing said strand formers in said saddle.

3. Apparatus for` positioning parallel wire cables comprising, inrcombination, a plurality of hollow strand formers each of which is provided with a longitudinally directed aperture in the Wall thereof, the bores of said strand formers being of the cross-sections desired in the strands of said cables, means for securing said strand formers into a plurality of units, a saddle adapted to receive said strand formers, and means for positively securing said strand Iormers in said saddle, said strand formers being piled upon each other with said apertures adjacent the upper surfaces thereof.

4. The method of spinning a cable for a suspension bridge which comprises providing a plurality of strand formers each having a longitudinally extending slot therein, alternately placing a few of the strand formers in a saddle with their slots in the same direction and placing the Wires in the strand formers through the slots therein in parallel relation, and nally positively securing the strand formers in the saddle.

5. The method of spinning a cable for a suspension bridge which comprises providing a series of strand formers each having a longitudinally extending slot in one side thereof, connecting Said formers together side-by-side in parallel relation so that all of the slots are on the same side, placing said connected series in a saddle, progressively placing the Wires inthe formers through said slots in parallel relation, and nally positively securing the said connected series of strand formers in place in the saddle.

6. The method of spinning a cable for a suspension bridge which comprises providing a number of strand former units, each unit comprising a series of strand formers connected together side-by-side in parallel relation, each strand former having a longitudinally extending slot therein and on the same side thereof, placing a unit in a saddle and the wires in the formers through said slots in parallel relation, alternately repeating this operation until the cable is completed and nally positively securing the units of strand formers in position in the saddle.

DAVID S. FINE. 

